Baltimore voters urged to support Issue 15

Editor:

I want to address three main issues about Issue 15.

1. Mr. Farmer's accusations that this was a "stealth movement" and "quietly placed on this November's ballot" are not true.

This issue was openly discussed in council meetings to determine if a change would be in the best interest of the village. Mr. Kalish was the only person who opposed a change. Petitions were openly circulated at the Baltimore Festival and throughout the village to place the issue on the November ballot.

2. Mr. Kalish states, "if Issue 15 is approved, it would allow state, county and city employees to become elected officials." WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO ELIMINATE THESE PEOPLE?

A licensed person working in water or wastewater treatment, or a firefighter or a billing clerk could be an asset to our village.

3. Today we are a partisan village. This requires the village to hold a primary election, costing thousands, if more than one person affiliated with a party petitions the Board of Elections to run for Mayor. This primary would eliminate all but one Democrat and/or Republican from the ballot. As a non-partisan village a primary election would not be required. Any Republican or Democrat, properly petitioning the Board of Elections, would be placed on the November ballot.

A non-partisan system could allow five people to run for mayor. Actually five people could run for mayor if we are partisan or non-partisan. Please vote yes on Issue 15.